4 Surgical Techniques To Minimize The Impact Of Skin Cancer Removal
Skin cancer, especially when it is invasive, can have a significant impact on your self-esteem. Even once the cancer has been successfully removed and treated, issues, such as scars or disfigurement, can remain. Techniques during the removal and reconstructive phase of skin cancer can give you a better outcome.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery, or freezing cancer cells, is an option used for some types of skin cancer that are small and less invasive. This procedure can replace other minor surgery procedures, such as excision. The procedure requires the use of liquid nitrogen to successfully treat the area. After the liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the treatment area, the cells die over the next few days. The procedure can be performed in the clinical setting and may only require an injectable local anesthetic. Once the area has fully healed, you may experience changes in skin pigmentation. Since the area for cryosurgery is typically small, any skin changes may not be obvious.
Microscopic Surgery
If your skin cancer is located in a visible area and the lesion is large, your surgeon may decide to use the Mohs approach to skin surgery. Traditional excision of skin cancer lesions requires your surgeon to remove a small margin of skin around the cancerous lesion. It is unknown whether the margins are clear of cancer cells until the tissue is examined under the microscope. In some cases, a much larger and deeper incision needs to be made to ensure there are clear margins.
With the Mohs approach, the objective is similar. However, the surgeon starts out by excising much smaller amounts of tissue. Each of the slivers of tissue are examined microscopically before proceeding. Although the process is time consuming, there is less risk of removing healthy tissue during the procedure. Your surgeon will check after each piece is removed to determine at which point the margins become clear.
Skin Reconstruction Surgery
When the removal of skin cancer is extensive, it may be unlikely the surgical area can be sutured together. The only remaining option is to use either a skin graft or flap to help the area heal. Grafts are the least invasive option. Skin is removed from another, inconspicuous area on your body and relocated to the transplant area. The major problem associated with grafting is the area can appear unusual after it heals. Since your skin may have different coloration and texture, depending on its location, the donor and transplant areas may not match perfectly.
Another option for skin reconstruction is using skin flaps. In some cases, a flap can be made by stretching the neighboring skin with tissue expanders, which allows the surgeon to move skin to the transplant area, while having enough remaining skin in the donor region to suture the area. Flaps are more invasive than grafts, but when the option is available, it is more likely the skin will have a similar appearance and texture since the donor site for skin flaps is near the transplant area.
Cartilage Reconstruction Surgery
In some cases, reconstructive surgery may need to be more extensive. For example, invasive skin cancer affecting the nose or ears may require reconstruction of the underlying cartilage in addition to the skin. If the your nose needs to be reconstructed, your surgeon will most likely take donor cartilage from your ear to aid in reconstruction.
An alternative to using your own cartilage is the creation of a prosthetic, typically made from silicone. This may be necessary if nose reconstruction is extensive or you need reconstruction of a smaller body part, such as your ear, since there is little need to take cartilage from other locations. Reconstruction of the cartilage is often combined with a graft or flap procedure to complete the reconstruction.
Improved surgical techniques for the removal of skin cancer can preserve more healthy tissue, while maintaining confidence the cancerous lesion was completely removed. Additionally, reconstructive techniques can improve the confidence of people who need extensive skin cancer surgery and are concerned about the changes in their appearance. For more information about skin cancer removal and recovery, contact a company like Dermatology Surgery Center.